Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, Old-Catholic Church in Switzerland visit the WCC

The two churches have been engaged in a process of dialogue and cooperation for the last 16 years.

In Bossey, the group discussed many topics with the WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, particularly the several ecumenical landmarks in 2025 and the commemorations of the 1700 years of the Council of Nicaea. 

Pillay underlined that the coming year offers a unique opportunity for an affirmation of Christian unity. 

“We have to seize the moments and opportunities given to us in 2025 to bring churches together and to use this historic moment of celebration to express to the world around us that churches can and are working together in all parts of the world,” he said.

In the afternoon, the joint delegation was welcomed at the new Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. 

Bishop Frank Bangerter, head of the Old Catholic Church in Switzerland, commented on the visit to the new Ecumenical Centre.

“Such a grace to be able to meet with the World Council of Churches leadership after two weeks of service as bishop,” he said. “It’s a very memorable moment in my life to experience the ecumenical life on both local and global level and feel the spirit of the ecumenical movement worldwide. This is something I will bring with me in my ministry.”

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